Hour 3: Soto's Happiness

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg - Hour 3: Soto's Happiness

Release Date: April 15, 2025

Podcast Information:

• Title: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg
• Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
• Description: The first voice of ESPN New York and New Jersey legend Don La Greca, long-time sportswriter and handsome New York Knick broadcaster Alan Hahn, and highly opinionated Hip Hop vet and WWE personality Peter Rosenberg discuss New York sports and much more.

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Introduction to the Episode

In "Hour 3: Soto's Happiness," hosts Alan Hahn, Don La Greca, and Peter Rosenberg delve deep into one of New York's hottest sports topics: Juan Soto's performance with the New York Mets. Released on April 15, 2025, this episode navigates the intricate dynamics between player performance, media narratives, and fan reactions, particularly in the context of the Mets-Yankees rivalry.

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Juan Soto's Performance and Contract

The primary focus of the episode centers on Juan Soto's performance under his substantial $750 million contract with the Mets. The hosts discuss how Soto's early season struggles have become a significant narrative in New York sports media.

Alan Hahn expresses frustration over the negative headlines surrounding Soto:

"The headlines though, they start to push the story into a place that I know as a Mets fan, Don, especially you, you're not comfortable that story going, which is an area of concern..." ([04:06])

Peter Rosenberg counters by highlighting Soto's overall contributions and the pressure that comes with such a hefty contract:

"He's in the first year of a 15-year contract. Make with it what you want..." ([06:10])

The discussion emphasizes that while Soto's performance may not meet the lofty expectations set by his contract, his underlying skills and potential remain invaluable to the Mets.

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Media Narratives and Fan Reactions

The hosts critique the role of New York tabloids, particularly the New York Post, in shaping public perception of Soto's performance. They argue that media outlets often sensationalize player struggles to sell stories, which in turn fuels fan dissatisfaction.

Don La Greca points out the cyclical nature of media narratives:

"One tabloid makes a story of something, then the others have to follow up. This is not a one day and done story..." ([03:49])

Peter Rosenberg adds that the declining newspaper industry exacerbates the issue, as tabloids vie for attention:

"The newspaper industry is dying. They're trying to get you to buy newspapers cuz nobody's buying them anymore..." ([05:53])

This segment underscores the tension between media narratives and the actual performance of players like Soto, suggesting that fans often base their opinions on skewed representations.

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Yankees vs. Mets Rivalry

A significant portion of the episode delves into the rivalry between Mets and Yankees fans, especially concerning endorsements and player performances. The conversation highlights how narratives between the two fan bases are often influenced by media and social media interactions.

Alan Hahn introduces the rivalry dynamics:

"This season will begin something we've really never seen in New York, which is the Judge versus Soto. This is the two behemoths that the next eight years will be judged about..." ([13:25])

Peter Rosenberg emphasizes the competitive spirit:

"If Soto has a better year than Judge, but the Yankees win and the Mets don't, you're going to celebrate..." ([14:10])

The hosts discuss how this rivalry not only fuels fan engagement but also adds layers of complexity to player evaluations and team strategies.

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Fan Expectations and Pressure

The episode explores how high expectations placed on star players like Juan Soto can lead to immense pressure, affecting their performance and overall team dynamics.

Alan Hahn notes the psychological impact of large contracts:

"There is pressure that comes with those contracts. It's a real thing. It's a real human emotion that happens." ([08:33])

Peter Rosenberg contrasts Soto's situation with other players:

"But you don't think there was pressure when he got traded to the Yankees in the last year of his deal... he's in the first year of a 15-year contract." ([06:47])

They discuss how Soto's contract not only raises expectations but also subjects him to constant scrutiny, which can be both motivating and debilitating.

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Pitching Strategies and Protected Lineups

A nuanced discussion arises around the concept of "protected lineups" in baseball, specifically how having formidable hitters like Aaron Judge affects pitchers' approaches against players like Soto.

Don La Greca raises the strategic implications:

"He's benefiting from Soto. It's the reality. That's not a Yankee or Met Take. That's a real thing." ([50:21])

Alan Hahn elaborates on pitching tactics:

"I have Soto up. I don't want to mess with him. Alonzo's the guy I'll mess with." ([51:03])

The conversation highlights how pitchers must adapt their strategies based on the lineup's strength, particularly when facing elite hitters protected by other star players.

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Callers' Perspectives and Broader Discussion

Listener interactions provide diverse viewpoints, enriching the hosts' analysis. Callers express opinions on fan behavior, media influence, and the broader state of sports fandom.

Caller from Jordan East Islip argues:

"All I'm saying is that Juan Soto potentially being unhappy... could lead to him not having as much..." ([17:18])

Another Caller reflects on the evolution of fan frustrations:

"Yankees and Mets for the first time truly ever, are entering into us into an area as fan bases like the Devils and the Rangers have been in..." ([20:57])

These contributions highlight the multifaceted nature of sports fandom, where personal biases, media narratives, and team performances intertwine.

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Conclusion

In this episode of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg, the hosts provide a comprehensive analysis of Juan Soto's role with the Mets, the pressures of high-value contracts, and the intricate dynamics of New York's sports rivalries. By intertwining player performance with media influence and fan expectations, they offer listeners a nuanced understanding of the current sports landscape in New York.

Alan Hahn wraps up by emphasizing the unique market dynamics of New York sports:

"That was the biggest loss the Yankees have ever had against the Mets. Is losing a superstar okay who preferred to go to your team..." ([23:25])

The episode concludes with the acknowledgment that while media narratives and fan expectations can be overwhelming, the intrinsic talents of players like Soto remain pivotal to their teams' successes.

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Notable Quotes:

• Alan Hahn [04:06]: "The headlines though, they start to push the story into a place that I know as a Mets fan, Don, especially you, you're not comfortable that story going..."

• Peter Rosenberg [06:10]: "He's in the first year of a 15-year contract. Make with it what you want..."

• Don La Greca [03:49]: "One tabloid makes a story of something, then the others have to follow up. This is not a one day and done story..."

• Alan Hahn [13:25]: "This season will begin something we've really never seen in New York, which is the Judge versus Soto..."

• Peter Rosenberg [14:10]: "If Soto has a better year than Judge, but the Yankees win and the Mets don't, you're going to celebrate..."

• Alan Hahn [51:03]: "I have Soto up. I don't want to mess with him. Alonzo's the guy I'll mess with."

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from "Hour 3: Soto's Happiness," providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the episode's main themes and exchanges.

Transcript

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[Alan Hahn]

This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Alan Hahn]

Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers. All right, into the big five o'clock hour we go with Don Legreca and Peter Rosenberg. I'm Alan Hahn. 800-919-3776 is the number to continue the conversation with us. We only got a couple of lines available, so you want to get in on it as soon as possible. But you know, just to circle back, we will get into Nixon a little bit as well as they're getting ready for their playoff series to begin. Although we do have playing games tonight and that's going to be interesting to see what sets up when it comes to the seventh and eighth seeds, especially in the East. So those games all begin tonight. Tonight you have Orlando in Atlanta, right?

[Don Legreca]

That's the early one. Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

And then keep going. Top of my head, Golden State.

[Don Legreca]

There you go. And go ahead, you're almost there. The Grizz.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, that's right, Memphis. Yeah, we're getting more, by the way.

[Don Legreca]

But that means, you know what that means? More guns.

[Alan Hahn]

No, grenades. Now it's grenades.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, sorry.

[Don Legreca]

We got to get more grenades.

[Alan Hahn]

Got to get grenades in that game of grenades. So again, basketball conversation to come stay with us on that. But just to circle back on what we began the show with, because I feel like it's, I personally feel like this is the biggest story in New York right now because of who it is, because of everything, all the emotion, everything in it. It's amazing, too, on my own timeline, just from our open, how many Mets fans are just like, so, so mad about this, which why are you mad? I don't understand it. This is simply a real media thing. When you play in a place like New York, everything you say can and will be used against you. And whether or not Juan Soto had intention of what he was saying when he talked about how it's definitely different playing for the Mets because you don't have an Aaron Judge there in the lineup. And the two of you together was a lot harder to pitch around a guy like Soto. And he has not gotten off to a great start. Let's be honest, the Mets have. He hasn't. The headlines though, they start to push the story into a place that I know as a Mets fan, Don, especially you, you're not comfortable that story going, which is an area of concern, a talk of. Doesn't sound like he's thrilled right now. And you know this thought now I don't believe that there's this remorse because the money. You're never going to feel bad about taking all that money. But it's now the reality of your situation and understanding that the team's playing well and you're not. And you know that because of that contract every time you have a. What's considered a bad game now last night he hit one out, so everybody was happy. But you know they're all going to say the same thing. That contract is going to chase you until someone else makes more money. Oh, gave this guy $750 million to do what. This is what he's doing for 750. Thank God we got Alonzo for the cheap. Like you know, that's how it is. And in New York, the tabloid. One tabloid makes a story of something, then the others have to follow up. This is not a one day and done story. They already asked Judge what he thinks. That's where we are right now. It's a real thing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But you're right. Mike Puma unfortunately is going to be the villain in this. He just asks question.

[Alan Hahn]

It's good for him feathering his cap.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But you know the New York Post headline that Alan's talking about, Life's a pitch.

[Alan Hahn]

Yep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Scuffling Soto admits it's not same without best hitter in baseball behind him.

[Don Legreca]

That's a tough headline by the way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Absolutely right. But you're getting scammed is all I'm saying. I mean, just be smarter than that. Okay. The newspaper industry is dying. They're trying to get you to buy newspapers cuz nobody's buying them anymore. It's really a shame cuz there's really good journalists out there that aren't being seen because people aren't just consuming the newspapers. But the Post has always been like that. You know, headless body and topless bar and all that stuff. Trying to get you to buy the newspaper and to get clicks. You read the article and all he's doing is admitting that it's a little different because you had the best player in baseball protecting him. In the lineup. And as good as Pete Alonso is, he's not Aaron Judge. There's not another Aaron Judge out there. Maybe Ohtani, who leads off, by the way. So he wouldn't even give protection to Soto if he were a Dodger because he'd be batting after Ohtani. So it's a little bit of a different situation. He's just adjusting to that. He's batting 250. He's only got a couple of home runs. But it's just ironic to me that on a day where the Mets win, Soto hits a home run to break the game open, that this is what's getting talked about because I think Peter made the or you made the best point actually when you said, hey, they're 11 and 5. It's April, you know, April baseball doesn't mean that much. We got to stir something up. Everybody's talking about the draft. They're talking about the Knicks going to the playoffs, they're talking about the Rangers collapse. We need something to talk about here.

[Alan Hahn]

Give me a back page.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And I'm gonna use the actual passion that met Yankee fans have to stir it up. This is a non story, so to answer the question, it was obvious, but we all get suckered in. Oh, Yankee fans saying, oh, he's. It's buyer's remorse. He regrets leaving. He wants to be a Yankee again. No, he doesn't. He went for the highest bidder, you know, and met fans feeling like, well, he chose us. No, he chose you because you gave the most money.

[Don Legreca]

Cha Ching.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's okay. Respectfully, here, here's what Kay was doing that I kind of disagree every. And this happened. Going back to the K show, by the way.

[Don Legreca]

By the way, Don's. When he says going back to the K show, I could make that Don's. But keep going.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I digress is that Michael would always disclaimer that it was about the money. Not that there's anything wrong with that. He's a mercenary, he's a Mercury. And that's okay because he's my merc. He's on my team and he's going to put up numbers. He's in the first year of a 15 year contract. Make with it what you want. My team's 11 and 5 with him hitting 250. Eventually he's going to hit.300, he's going to hit 30 home runs or more and he's going to help my team, maybe compete for a championship. That's what I care about. Do I care how much he loves the Mets? Do I care about his sweets? Do I care about his relationship with Pete Alonso?

[Don Legreca]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I care that he shows up every day and he rakes and I think he's going to do that. And for the Yankee fan, it takes like pounding on the chest or even saying, this is why we didn't re sign him. Stop it. You wanted him and you didn't get him and you'll probably be okay, all right, Goldschmidt's hitting, Bellinger's been okay, you got Aaron Judge, you'll be fine. But people making this out to be something, you're getting suckered, you're getting played. The post plagued you.

[Alan Hahn]

That's been going on for 150 years.

[Don Legreca]

When you say the post played to you, who are you referring to as you?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm talking about fans. The fans that are getting caught up.

[Don Legreca]

In this and believing and reading too much.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now listen, we're talking about it because the fans are talking about it. And I understand social media, whatever it is, but listening to the shows this morning, coming in, listening to Michael, listening to the morning show going on social media, Yankee fans are thumping their chest saying, see, you know he's going to bring down the Mets. And you know, Mets being worried about. No, he just made a comment. It's an obvious comment. Mets don't have Aaron Judge. Nobody has Aaron Judge. And by the way, he already put up hall of Fame stats in Washington with Ryan Zimmerman protecting him. He had the highest WAR of the season in 2018. Zimmerman was batted like 250 that year. 13 home games.

[Don Legreca]

In all fairness though, Ryan Zimmerman was 39 at that time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He was 33. But I get your point.

[Alan Hahn]

Wasn't Rendon there though later on.

[Don Legreca]

By the way, Tony Two Bags, great nickname, great run in the playoffs. You know, Aaron Judge, he was not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh in 2018 when they won the World Series and he had the highest WAR of the of the year. He didn't have Aaron Judge protecting him. He didn't have Pete Alonso protecting him. The guy is going to do well. He's on a new team. He's probably pressing a little bit. And guess what, Met fans, you're still 11 and five getting a shell of Juan Soto.

[Alan Hahn]

You don't stop. You don't think the money has like a little pressure adds the pressure of expectations and that he's also aware, like you can't possibly not hear criticism when you're a great player because a, you're used to everybody telling you how great you are and how much they love you, especially him over the Last year. My God. Did anybody ever criticize Juan Soto over the last year? Nobody did.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But wouldn't there have been pressure on him last year?

[Alan Hahn]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

When he's in the walk year of a contract?

[Alan Hahn]

Not at all.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Certainly you saw Pete Alonso feel the pressure of being in the walk year.

[Alan Hahn]

Of a contract, because it was different, because Soto already had it built up. His whole career, he had built up to this moment. I think the money does have come with this. What's the word I'm looking for? It precedes you in a way. And when you get off to a slow start and now you're asked about it and it's like, what's going on with you? How come you suck? Not the same words, but that's essentially what he hears is it's like, what's going on with you? What's happening right now? What's that? Well, you know. And you're going to make the excuses you can make. There is pressure that comes with those contracts. It's a real thing. It's a real human emotion that happens. So that's real. And the Yankee Met thing, I think, is a fan thing. That's. Yankee fans can't wait for these moments because they want to jump on it. Because the Mets fans had their moment in the sun when he signed and they were the ones that were doing all the barking. And Yankee fans couldn't say anything because they were. They were mad about it. And it was all, the whole town's gonna turn. You got an owner willing to spend. We were here for it. Don, you remember all this. This was a real thing. So now, you know, every time something happens, a Yankee fan is going to want to use it as a way to put it right back in your face. And in the end, like I said earlier, whether, whether you. This is superficial, but it's still a real thing. You're 11 and 5 and you can't enjoy it because of this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, no, see, that. That. Why? Well, that's.

[Alan Hahn]

Because it's annoying.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because it's annoying. But again, that's where I think the Yankee fan is saying that, seeing you're 11 and 5. But now, now look what Soto's done. He's ruining. No, no, that's my point. We're fine. Okay? I can't speak for everybody, but I'm fine. I'm 11 and 5. I'm in first place. I'm ahead of the Phillies. I'm way ahead of the Atlanta Braves. We're good. It's not going to be an issue. And where I disagree with the pressure. All right, so he probably feels pressure of the contract. Right. But you don't think that there was pressure when he gets traded to the Yankees in the last year of his deal, The Yankees were not guaranteed to bring him back. In order to win that deal or feel like they accomplished something is to go out there and they had to go at least to the World Series. And he has a, you know, there could have been pressure there, too. New team, playing for a contract, and he ended up having a super year. Listen, he might end up having a bad year. It doesn't necessarily have to be about pressure. By the way, he didn't. He, he, he had nine hits in his first series in Houston last year. He got off to a great start as a New York Yankee, but then he tailed off. He had one hit in the series against Arizona and then the first series.

[Alan Hahn]

But nobody ever said, what's wrong? What's happening?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't remember. No, because you know, the Yankees, you.

[Alan Hahn]

Make all this money.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, you know the reason why? Because he had nine hits in Houston and as a series, the Yankees swept.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right. But if he got off to a slow start, I'm sure there would have been talk. Was there talk the next four games when he had just one hit? I don't remember. Was there talk that going into game 15, he only had two home runs? I don't know. I don't remember. I'm sure there was. There's always going to be talk. There's always going to be what's going on, especially with Yankee free agents or guys to come over. Remember, you know, Jason Giami didn't hit right away and Messina struggled early. There's adjustments that are made. I'm not going to judge a guy on 16 games, especially when the team won 11 of them. And, and it's just so weird. It's coming off where he had a big two run home run last night that broke the game open. Like, it's just. I just think you're getting played. We're easily played here. But if a Yankee fan is trying to troll a Met, saying, oh, you can't enjoy 11 and five. No, no, I'm enjoying my 11 and five. Okay. I'm good.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay, you're good. While this is going on, this is the annoying distraction, but do you see.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Peter, see how mad you.

[Alan Hahn]

But you're mad about him?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, I'm mad.

[Alan Hahn]

You don't see him getting annoyed?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm mad at you.

[Don Legreca]

I think you're, you've been the Antagonist all day on this subject, Don. And I see.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm not the one who put it on the back page.

[Don Legreca]

I know, but you sort of support it. You're like, see? Gotta do that now. And now the Daily News has to respond and say, well, what do you say? And now let's go to Judge.

[Alan Hahn]

Judge had to answer the question. It's like we have to ask, Judge, what does Judge. Judge could easily say, what does this have to do with me? But instead he gave you the politically correct.

[Don Legreca]

Well, that's very. He's very good at that.

[Alan Hahn]

He doesn't want to continue press release response.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But you're hoping as a Yankee fan, this becomes a thing. And I get it, you're a Yankee fan.

[Alan Hahn]

I am not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But you're trying to stoke the flame.

[Alan Hahn]

I am not hoping for it. I've already said this. I'm on record of saying that this season will begin something we've really never seen in New York, which is the Judge versus Soto. This is the two behemoths that the next eight years will be judged about. How many each of these guys lead their team to Lindor could be the leader of the Mets. It doesn't matter. It's Soto versus Judge. It went from Soto and Judge to Soto versus Judge. That's a real thing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm a fan of Juan Soto because he's wearing a Met uniform, and Juan Soto could hit.250 with six home runs this year if the Mets were in the World Series. I'm happy, and I'm thinking you probably feel the same way as I know you are. You know, if Judge had to pedestrian year and you win the World Series, you'll take it. Like, if Soto has a better year than Judge, but the Yankees win and the Mets don't, you're going to celebrate, and rightly so. So this could be about Judge and Soto. To me, that's the undercard. The main event is who is the better team. Because I want my team to win a World Series, and I want Juan Soto to help me get to the World Series if I could do it without him. More power to the Mets. Right now, my team's 11 and 5. I'm trying to win my first World Series since 1939. I was a freshman in college the last time they won a World Series. All right? I'm an old man now, so I want to see a championship so Soto and Judge can have at it, all right? They can have this big Home Run Derby all season long, and the Met fans and the Yankee fans can Chirp and all that. We're going to find out at the end of the season at least round one of a 15 year contract whether this is all going to work out or not. Okay. But honestly, I'm a little bit more concerned about the Braves, the Phillies, the Marlins and the Nationals in my division. The Padres and the Dodgers and the Giants who look like they can't lose that. I'm worried about the Yankees right now. You know, I'm not going to worry about the Yankees when they play them during the regular season. And if they end up playing in the World Series. Really, the New York Yankees have nothing to do with my quest for a World Series right now. So let me just add to it.

[Alan Hahn]

Let me just add to it that. Remember what we talked opening. Was it opening day or one of those where at Yankee Stadium there was a blank Juan Soto chain.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. And we were selling shirts now too.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. And everybody was in their heads. Right. I was told that that was motivated by some fans who were wearing Soto Mets jerseys.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Alan Hahn]

At Yankee Stadium.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So it wouldn't have happened.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm just. No, it was, it was a reaction to them. And then obviously it just traveled around the stadium because it picked up everywhere else, but it was motivated by that. Not just. Why are you talking about John Soto? He's not even in the building. No, but they were Met fans or who decided to wear.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Who knows.

[Alan Hahn]

Whatever they are, they showed up to do that. And that's. To me, that's the beauty of having two teams in this market is that you're going to have this thing that's going to be built up between them. And it is. I, like I said, I find it compelling. 800 now. 93776. Jordan East Islip. Jordan, you're up next.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hey, what's up, fellas?

[Caller]

I gotta say, Don, this is some exquisite Met fan making yourself feel good about a bad situation. Logic. It's. My man is talking about newspapers going out of business as excuses for this headline.

[Peter Rosenberg]

As if it's not go, go buy a Star ledger in New Jersey. See? Good luck. Good luck finding one in the store.

[Don Legreca]

So what are you. Because you think this is actually such a bad thing. This is a real thing that's going to like sink the Mets.

[Caller]

Listen, I just think it's a sign.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Of one thing that could just your head. And I know that, I know that.

[Caller]

Don said he didn't care about Juan Soto's happiness, but if Juan Soto is unhappy already after 16.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why do I think he's unhappy?

[Don Legreca]

How was. How did that show being unhappy? How did explaining why you're struggling, maybe weak, maybe soft, but how did it show unhappy?

[Caller]

You don't think it's a little bit like him? Like you guys were saying it yourselves? Buyers remorse and Donna saying he didn't care.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Buyers remorse said that you're a Yankee fan, hoping. And I get it. I get it.

[Caller]

All I'm saying is that Juan Soto potentially being unhappy or in his head about. About Pete Alonso being behind him instead of.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Him. Don't create a false narrative. He asked Cohen re sign Pete Alonso so I have protection. And Alonzo right now, if the season ended today, would be up for mvp. So they gave Soto.

[Caller]

That wasn't a shot at.

[Don Legreca]

That wasn't a shot of Alonzo. It was purely saying that.

[Caller]

Yet last year he said he acknowledged.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That it was the best player in baseball. Right, Right.

[Caller]

But what I'm saying is, if that is in his head, if he's thinking about that already 16 games into the.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Season, you don't think that could lead to him not having as much. I don't know why you as a Yankee fan, are so concerned about how I feel. I have nothing to do with you. That's why I'm living in your head. Because you're watching your team at 9 and 7 and you've got to worry about my 11 and 5 team and tell me how I'm supposed to feel and how I'm supposed to be scared. I don't care about the Yankees right now other than the fact that I do a show in New York and I've got to follow them and talk about them. I am a Met fan, concentrating on my team. And the last I checked, the Mets are playing in Minnesota against the Twins tonight. They don't play the Yankees for a while. Okay. Then you'll be on my radar. So it sounds to me two things. Number one, you have no idea what's going on in the newspaper industry. And number two, the Mets are completely residing in your head. Peter, am I wrong? You're completely neutral on this?

[Don Legreca]

No, no, no. I'm not neutral. What neutral?

[Alan Hahn]

He's on your side.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're not a Met fan or you.

[Alan Hahn]

But he's on your side.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, sorry.

[Alan Hahn]

I see what you're saying.

[Don Legreca]

Oh, no, no. It a. If it's not in the head of Yankee fans, it's just they're hoping. They want a troll.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's.

[Don Legreca]

It's like, it's. It would be fun for them.

[Alan Hahn]

I think it's in Soto's head. It was the Day he signed because that was in Verducci story that he looked at the lineup and he was a little concerned about protection.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's not concerned about it.

[Alan Hahn]

He's Don, you said it so. And the more I thought about it, the more it's really on point. And maybe it's the moral of the story is that anybody that thought that he signed with the Mets because they have a family atmosphere and because he thinks they can win more and they'll do more winning, you're out of your mind. It was the money first, the money second, the money third, the money fourth, the money fifth.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's it and that's it. And I'm good with that.

[Alan Hahn]

I know you are good with it, but I don't think every Met fan, they thought, see, we have a better future, we have a better owner, we have this, we have that. And none of it is true. Right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

And then you've got Yankee fans like our last caller, who all of a sudden seems overly concerned about how I'm supposed to feel. Why are you even worried about it? Unless. Unless the Mets are in your head.

[Alan Hahn]

Because he wants you to be frustrated. They want to see you squat.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't care. Again, back to 50. I don't care if he gets another home run the rest of the year if the Mets keep winning. I want Juan Soto to hit to help my team win. The fact that they're 11 and 5 and Soto's not hitting is great news.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, that's. That's reasonable. Bobby in Jersey City. Bobby. Hey, guys, how's it going? What's up?

[Peter Rosenberg]

What's up?

[Caller]

Don, you just hit the nail on the head with what you were talking about right there. Because I'm coming at this from a Yankees fan perspective. I think the Yankees and the Mets for the first time truly ever, are entering into us into a. Into an area as fan bases like the Devils and the Rangers have been in for years where both fan bases accused the other one of, we live in your head rent free, trying to one up them in that way instead of just owning the fact we don't like you, you don't like us, so let's just go about our business. And the beauty of sports is you will meet down the road if you both live up to your own expectations, Yankees and Mets fans. If we just get to that place, Don, it's the same thing. I'm worried about the Royals right now, and I'll worry about the Mets next month and then I'll worry about you in the World Series if we Both.

[Don Legreca]

Get there, but it doesn't feel like that's what's happening. It feels.

[Alan Hahn]

But that's the sweet spot of sport. Like when you're again, this market is unique because it's two of everything in three hockey teams. And I do think that part of the fun is this give and take is the banter. I always tell the story of the old days when hockey mattered in New York and the Islanders and Rangers were good getting on that step bus the next morning. If you lost to the Rangers that night, or if your team was losing and their team was winning, you. You didn't want to hear it. Or if your team was winning and their team was losing, you could wait. I never was going to fake being sick that day.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But here's the thing. The reason it doesn't hit the same is that they were sharing the same real estate. They were in the same division. So it kind of magn what each one was doing. Yeah, all Yankee fans tell me is they love that Derek Jeter quote from his documentary.

[Alan Hahn]

Just the Mets.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's just the Mets. Well, if we're just the Mets, then what do you care? You should be focused on your team that's nine and seven. They're not hitting on a consistent bit. The pitching is a bit of a mess. They're going to be fine and they're going to make it out of the American League. But the point is that why do you worried so much about us and how we feel about something? Why are you thumping your chest at other fact that oh, you're 11 and 5. We got to bring you down a couple of notches and this one don't matter. Peter, if we don't matter, then what are we having this conversation for? If then we must matter, then of course you matter.

[Alan Hahn]

You matter.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, that's all I'm saying.

[Alan Hahn]

Because you took the player everybody wanted. It was for the first time. That was the biggest loss the Yankees have ever had against the Mets. Is losing a superstar okay who preferred to go to your team. But now we know it was because of the money.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I heard a lot of Yankee fans through the whole winter. Oh, we're better off.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Spend more money on more players because we had a bunch of holes.

[Alan Hahn]

And it's a good thing I did.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Care about the Mets. Let them go play in Queens and nobody's going to care. Well, I guess you do care. At least give me that. I guess you care a little more than you say. Yes, that's what I, you know. But that, that, that's What I get is that you don't matter. You don't care, but we don't get.

[Alan Hahn]

No, you matter now. You matter. You know what else matters? The Yankee starting lineup brought to you by Certapro Painters. So today, of course, Jackie Robinson day. So Everybody wearing number 42, leading off, Ben Rice, who we're not talking about. Enough. All this. Wallace, Juan Soto. Ben Rice is having himself a start and his little conversation to be had about him that we'll get to. And a comment from Aaron Boone as well. The play for you, but he's leading off as dh. Aaron Judge batting second. He's in right field. Cody Bellinger in the three hole center field, Paul Goldschmidt is your cleanup. On first, Jazz Chisholm after him, playing second, Anthony Volpe. Shortstop Austin Wells. Catcher Jason Dominguez, who made himself a lot of nice plays in the outfield, by the way, last night. I have to point that out. With all the consternation about his fielding. He's in left. And Oswaldo Peraza playing third on the mound right now, you could argue that he might be the most important player for the Yankees to start this season is Max. They're playing the Royals again. By the way, that is the Yankee starting lineup brought to you by Certapro Painters. When choosing a painting professional for your home or business, the choice is simple. Choose happy. Choose certapro Painters.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You give good lineup.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know if I die. I haven't really nailed it. I mean, Michael, it was like a special thing, the way he did it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, it was annoying. I like you. You do it better.

[Alan Hahn]

Why was it annoying?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because he did it as if the world was waiting for it.

[Don Legreca]

You guys want to hear the Yankee lineup?

[Alan Hahn]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We got it right here. For it's hot off the presses. I know. I've been waiting for it all day. No, I'm sorry. I got a smartphone. I'm good.

[Alan Hahn]

Very uncomfortable right now.

[Don Legreca]

I've got a life.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, but, Alan, you dressed it up. You made it. Appointment radio. So much.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay, I've come a long way since the first hour, but I was being called all kinds of names.

[Don Legreca]

He went to. He just went too far.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Start working the mic again. How about this? This is a mini meditation guided by Bombas. Repeat after me. I'm comfy, I'm cozy. I have zero blisters on my toes. And that's cause I wear Bombus the softest socks, underwear and T shirts that give back. One purchased equals one donated. Now go to bombas.com espnpod and use code espnpod for 20% off your first purchase. That's B O M B- dot com espnpod and use code ESPNPOD.

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[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don Legreca]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Alan Hahn]

Catch the show end whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. All right, let me give you game time brought to you by Telemore Irish Whiskey because when it's game time, it's time. There is Mets continue their series with the Twins coverage immediately following us at 7 on 880 there in Balmy Minnesota Yankees Royals at the stadium where it's also balmy. 705 is their first pitch there at the ballpark in the Boogie Down Devils. Visit the Bruins at seven. And I mean Islanders, Capitals although a Little less dramatic than the last time the Capitals were in town with Ovechkin and the. The game. The game. The record tying goal. But Islanders Capital is the final home game of the regular season for the Islanders. That is at 7:30. You want to slam that door a little harder there next time?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Jesus, don't get me going now. How about that? Is everything okay?

[Alan Hahn]

Sound great.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How about from here?

[Alan Hahn]

No, it's all right. I'm serious.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right. See? All right, we solve that.

[Alan Hahn]

Does he not sound good? He sounds a lot better, doesn't he?

[Don Legreca]

Let me hear him again.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How about over here? Do I sound any different?

[Don Legreca]

No, just talk close to the mic.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How are you, baby?

[Don Legreca]

Give me a little more.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hi, how are you?

[Don Legreca]

Maybe I feel like his mic. I feel like the pot's like a little lower now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now I feel like he's down pot.

[Alan Hahn]

Pots and pans.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Good stuff from Larry Brooks, I guess, since.

[Alan Hahn]

Can I finish?

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's in. Oh, I'm sorry.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. Tell them where to do the original triple, triple blended triple cash matured Irish whiskey. He's so mad.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, I was just. Sorry.

[Alan Hahn]

Be sure to grab Stratus or try the new Tullamore do, honey. During tonight's action, Don's going to have a few glasses up to enjoying Tullamore do responsibly. Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I guess Larry Brooks is covering this game for the Post the Islander game because it could be Matt Martin's last game at ubs and he's got some really interesting quotes. It's going to be an emotional night for him. And talked about how class the organization.

[Alan Hahn]

How close was he to a thousand.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, that's a good question.

[Alan Hahn]

He's over 900. That's the part that I think. You know what, I can answer my own question there, Don. That's the part where he came back. They didn't play him. And then they had a reason to play him, I guess when Duclair. Right. When they decided to let him go do whatever he's going to do. But that's somebody that you need to treat with class and respect. Right. I'm sure they'll make a big deal tonight. It's the right thing to do, but we'll see.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm trying to. Larry's point about Martin is just how important that fourth line, the identity line was.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. With him. Yep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And compared it to some of the. The great fourth lines and it's a thing. A fourth line's a thing. Especially on a good team.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And he talked about that. The identity lines right there. With the grind line and Malpy Draper and. And also Joey Kosar and then of course the crash line for the 95 Devils with Peluso, Holik and McKay. So no, Matt said, I've been so proud to wear this jersey, be a part of this team and community. Very nice stuff.

[Don Legreca]

All right.

[Alan Hahn]

And he means it. He does a lot of great stuff. He does camps, he does in the summer for kids. He's one of the players. I'll say this about the Islanders again, with my daughter playing. There's. We're at, you know, Northwell, where they practice, their practice facility. We're there a lot. And there are times where the players. You'll be skating around and they close it off, they pull curtains, they do this whole thing because that's what Lou does. But the players, if they see kids, like, they invited them on the ice. Some of the guys like who stayed on to just work on their own. There's like maybe two or three skaters out there and Matt Martin was one of them. They saw like the three or four, nine year old girl standing there watching them and they opened the door and said, come on, skate with us. You know, it's like little things like that that make such a big difference. And that's what hockey players are about. He's at 985, so that's 86. And then they got one more right. They got one more game right, so. Boy, that close. Thousands. A big deal.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, I don't know if he's done in the NHL. I guess he can hook up someplace else next year, right? He won't be an Islander, but if you wanted to get to a thousand, would you somebody.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, maybe it's not worth it to him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

One of the only players with no face shield left in the National Hockey League.

[Don Legreca]

Wow.

[Alan Hahn]

Is he.

[Don Legreca]

Language from my youth.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

How many others, by the way?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, there's Ryan Reeves.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Jamie Ben. Ryan O'Reilly. And somebody else. What's Zach Bogosian? That's. That's who you're thinking about.

[Alan Hahn]

I wasn't thinking about Bosan. No, I was thinking about the. With the blues. What's his name? Big dude. Was it Maroon?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, Pat Maroon. No, he had a.

[Alan Hahn]

He had a shield.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, he. Matter of fact, he played in his last game.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. Yeah, I was just seeing who all the guys that are like walking away right now. I was wondering.

[Don Legreca]

Alan, I gotta tell you something.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sure.

[Don Legreca]

I just tried your matcha tea and I think I enjoy it. Really?

[Alan Hahn]

That was a delicate sip, by the way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I heard it's too earthy. That's the complaint I hear.

[Alan Hahn]

Who said earthy? Who.

[Don Legreca]

What do you mean? Earthy in what way?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Who. It tastes earthy.

[Alan Hahn]

No, you gotta blend. This is matcha latte, so it creams up nice.

[Don Legreca]

Oh, wait, this scoop. That's why it has 40 calories, not 0 calories, because it is a little something.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, a little something. It's nice because you put it in hot water, but it doesn't have that gritty because you can have a matcha and it's. No, this is nice. You like the little chewing on it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You like the little velvet thing they do at Starbucks?

[Alan Hahn]

I've never.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, it's in commercial. It's on television. Commercial.

[Don Legreca]

What's the velvet thing?

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, they put a little.

[Alan Hahn]

The lavender.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The lavender. I'm sorry.

[Don Legreca]

Oh, the lavender.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. I'm not doing that.

[Don Legreca]

He can't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why?

[Don Legreca]

Because his drinks are already feminine enough.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're. Oh, you're all man.

[Don Legreca]

Not from a drink standpoint, but if.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It tastes good, who cares?

[Alan Hahn]

I care.

[Don Legreca]

Yeah, sometimes it is.

[Alan Hahn]

First of all, it's not something I really would ever think of.

[Don Legreca]

Lavender.

[Alan Hahn]

Hey, would you like to put lavender in your teeth?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don Legreca]

No. What, do you drop some roses around it, too? It's a bit much. I hear what he said.

[Alan Hahn]

You want to put it in a diffuser, make the room smell nice? Yes. Do I want to drink it?

[Don Legreca]

No, that's. I hear. I hear that, too.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right? Interesting.

[Alan Hahn]

You want to get some calls in here? 800-919-3776. Al in the Bronx. Listen on the app. What's up, Al?

[Caller]

Hey, what's going. Hey, gentlemen. All right. So much has been spoken about. I got two points. I want to get through. Don. Gotta get. All right, let me just say this, right. I'm a Yankee fan. I'm gonna qualify my. Myself for 42 years, since I'm 8 years old. Grew up with the lights of Yankee Stadium outside my bedroom window. Nobody cares about the Mets. That's a real Yankee fan. Until now. And the reason we care is because they took something from us. Now, I'll also say that I don't care that Juan Soto is gone, because I don't think he was worth the amount of money that. That they gave him. But the fact that Met fans feel like they got something, it makes us want to say something. You're absolutely right. Not living rent free, just giving a little bit back. Not rent free. I rooted for the Mets, all New York teams. I'm what you call a fraud. I don't believe there's any natural rivalries except in hockey. But I've always wanted the mess to do well because I'm. Why am I cheering for la? I can't stand anybody that everybody outside of New York hates us, you know, So I can't go against a New York team. All right, real quick. The other point is what Peter said. The kicked off Tuesdays New York fans are some of the worst fans, the most unsupported fans in the world. If there's a hundred players, how many of those players can actually play in New York? And we think that's a badge of honor when it's actually the reason why we don't win championships anymore. All right. Since the social media. Thanks, guys. Since social media started, you know, I appreciate it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thank you.

[Alan Hahn]

He makes a good point.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He does.

[Alan Hahn]

But I don't remember the amount of complaining. Actually, somebody. I was making this point on the air here about how in the 90s, you know, Pat Riley's teams four years in a row won 50 games or more and one year they won 60 and they lost in the finals that the third year. And I'm like, I don't remember people being this miserable about their team. Like Michael Jordan was in the way. There were better teams and I still felt like it was like this badge of honor of somehow, some way we're gonna get past this guy. And somebody like, came at me off the podcast and said, yes, we were complaining. There was just nowhere to complain. I just find that ridiculous. I guess maybe that's what it is. There's a megaphone now for the complaining. And there's some type of badge of honor that fans seem to have is when I'm. If I'm angry about it, it shows I'm a tough fan, not an emotional fan who is hopeful and will get my heart broken.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Somewhere in the last, I don't know, 20 years or so, it's been all about the chip. When I was growing up, I was a Met fan. I was a Giant fan. I fantasized about my teams winning a championship. It didn't seem like it was a reality. It didn't affect me loving the team. I still watched every game. I rooted for him to win.

[Alan Hahn]

You didn't want to see him lose the last five games to get a better draft?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No. And then all of a sudden, it just became like, if my team's not going to win, just this tanks, we get better picks, I need to win. Oh, my God. My team hasn't won for so long. We went through with the Rangers, with the 54 years and all that. It was a thing. I'm not saying it wasn't. You wanted to win, but now it just seems like if they're. My team's not going to win. I don't want to even be bothered. And I'm going to hate my team if they don't win. And I'm going to destroy them if they don't win.

[Don Legreca]

And there's nothing else to watch for. And there's no way to rate great players if they don't.

[Alan Hahn]

Like you love the Commanders. Were you ever like that as a Commanders fan? As a.

[Don Legreca]

What do you mean? That, like, did it when they were at their worst?

[Alan Hahn]

Were you like, almost like, I hope they suck.

[Don Legreca]

Well, is a little bit of a different situation. First of all, no. In the end, I always rooted for them, stupidly, but I would have understood people rooting against them because the ownership was so bad.

[Alan Hahn]

I mean, but that's different.

[Don Legreca]

Yeah, that's different. When you have. When you have an owner that's completely toxic and, you know, you need them out. That's different.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, but.

[Don Legreca]

But I don't. I don't get what we see.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Did you ever hate your team for not winning?

[Alan Hahn]

There you go.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I guess that's the best way to put it.

[Don Legreca]

For not winning?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, not winning.

[Don Legreca]

Never that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think that's where we stand now. I get.

[Don Legreca]

For being immoral and corrupt and horrible.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. I'm just saying, you know, to sit there. All right, all right. You went to the championship game last year. Yeah. So I still can't believe. So in New York and my Giants had gone to the championship game, the feeling would be, what? Well, now we got to go to the Super Bowl. And if they went 12 and 4, got beaten to the divisional round instead of going, shucks, we didn't win.

[Alan Hahn]

But what if we're here?

[Peter Rosenberg]

What's going on here? Yeah, we didn't win. We didn't take the next step. We're seeing with the Rangers now. The Rangers are a little bit different because they've been frustrating over the last few years. But you see with Yankee fans, like it's a championship or nothing. I could see Met fans if they don't win this year, oh, my God, we got Juan Soto. What a waste of time that was. We don't seem to enjoy the moment as much anymore with some of these franchises. Enjoy the ride.

[Alan Hahn]

Nope.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like it's. Sometimes it. Hey, listen, the Giants, when going before 86, they went to the playoffs in 84, made it to the divisional round lost to the Bears in 85 and then they won in 86. There was a journey there. I didn't hate 84 and 85. I enjoyed it. Same thing with the Mets, you know, it came up short in 84, short in 85, and then they finally won in 86. I didn't hate the 84 and 85 team. I enjoyed the journey now at some point.

[Alan Hahn]

But you felt like there was a climb going on, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

There was a. There was a climb. But sometimes you take a step back, but as long as you believe in the team, and I'm not saying you can't be disappointed, but like hate the team and want everybody fired and trade everybody.

[Alan Hahn]

It's so weird.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's. It's kind of. Yeah, it's interesting. Like I can understand the Rangers are really, really disappointing this year. I mean, I get there's some times.

[Alan Hahn]

Like as a fan, you look at them and think they maxed out like last year as a Mets fan, that had to have been the house money season right where you, where it ends and you're like, that was fun.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I was. It was fun like that.

[Alan Hahn]

You had to have walked away just saying, you know what? That was fun.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But you know what?

[Alan Hahn]

Because you didn't have any expectations. Because the problem is when expectations come.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I guess that's what I'm criticizing is, is that we end up putting expectations on a team. So last year was fun because there were no expectations. Now there are expectations this year. So if they repeat what they did last year, the exact same season nlcs, it'll look like it'll be a disappointment because you didn't take the next step. I'm just telling you how fans are.

[Alan Hahn]

Going to look at Dodgers. Not me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not me. But if they go to. I'm telling you. You don't think Met fans will be screaming into the night if they go to the league championship series and losing six to the Padres, it'll be like, hey, take the next step. What's going on with the Knicks right now? Fans are not going to tolerate them losing to the, to the Boston Celtics, the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics who might very well win back to back titles. They will not accept losing in the second round because it was what they've done the last two years. They've put an artificial expectation in their head that they got to at least go to the conference finals and if they don't, it'll be a disappointment. Have they truly enjoyed this season? Honestly, have they have? Nick, Fans really had fun watching this team win 51 games to get into the playoffs.

[Alan Hahn]

I can't speak for all because there are a lot of fans that are so happy with it. It's the loudest ones that are doing most of the complaining. And they, when they complain, it's, it's aggressive complaining. It's as if they're fed up. And I'm laughing because you're fed up with what exactly? All this winning 50 wins and 50 wins again and 47. And like that's too much for you. You like to go back to 17 wins and wondering what draft pick you're not going to get. So yeah, I think this is a blanket conversation. It is a true thing. It is something in this market you can't get rid of. All right, we'll continue with calls. We got some great ones here that we need to get to. A lot of the can't take Tuesday stuff, so definitely hit you want to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Don Legreca]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Alan Hahn]

Catch this show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. Interesting point here, Don. Yes, that. How would you say this, this name here, let's just say mj, right on Twitter. They're directing it to you and, and Peter. How can you guys keep saying Soto is in our head rent free when he's the one that brought up Judge and the Yankees?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Maybe he was asked the question. He's. He just.

[Alan Hahn]

He wasn't asked about Judge.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, he was. What's, what's different? Well, the difference is I, I don't have Aaron Judge hitting him. So maybe, maybe Juan Soto, the Yankees are in his head. I don't know. I don't know Juan Soto. But that wasn't the conversation. The conversation. Are the Mets in Yankee fans heads? Is Juan Soto in your head? Both could be true.

[Alan Hahn]

I mean, think that there's a part of him that was like, yeah, it was pretty good. It was pretty good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't think he ever doubted it. It was good.

[Alan Hahn]

But the money was the money and I think that's where everybody now has to get to that place. No, he didn't choose you because he likes the Mets better or thinks the Mets have a better chance to win. He chose you because your owner was willing to pay him what no one else wanted to pay him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But that's what I'm saying. So the idea. Well, let's say for sake of argument that the Yankees are in Juan Soto's head. Well, whose fault that he could just resign with the Yankees? Yankees didn't trade him. Yankees didn't.

[Alan Hahn]

Yankees didn't give him money.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He made a conscious decision to sign with the New York Mets knowing who was on the team.

[Alan Hahn]

Does it mean anything to you that he does have that opt out and.

[Peter Rosenberg]

When is it again?

[Alan Hahn]

2029.

[Peter Rosenberg]

2020? Not because when. It's. When it's Cohen. And if it's about the money, well.

[Alan Hahn]

That'S when they have to kick in that it goes up to what, 800 something?

[Peter Rosenberg]

So do I think that Steve Cohen's not gonna have the money?

[Alan Hahn]

Sometimes he's not gonna have the money.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. So if he. Listen, if he's playing that poorly, I may not want to see. I may be happy to see him go. But if he's. If he's. MVP caliber, do I think that Steve Cohen invested all this money in him just to see him walk away in 2029? Now, I don't know what the fiscal situation will be with Steve Cohen. Four years from now. He might be filing for bankruptcy, and then it'd be a different story. But if he continues to do.

[Alan Hahn]

If he does, we're all in trouble, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, if his $16 billion he's sitting on becomes $20 billion in 2029, I'm not gonna be that concerned that somebody's gonna outbid Steve Cohen for him. So, no, I'm not as concerned as about it. But if he really hates it here and decides to take a discount someplace else where it is just about baseball and not about the money. Yeah. Then I guess I could be concerned if he's not happy here. But is there any indication that's gonna be the case?

[Alan Hahn]

Not yet.

[Don Legreca]

Can I also add to the Soto conversation? I brought this up to you guys later, and maybe I'm just stupid. Is it me or has the whole conversation about people being protected in a lineup? I'm not saying it never. It didn't always exist, but it feels like now it's in every conversation.

[Alan Hahn]

Baseball thing.

[Don Legreca]

Now, when I was a kid. I'm sorry, guys. I'm sorry. I don't remember people being like, well, Cecil Filter is great, but he's got Alan Trammell behind him. It just. It wasn't a conversation. I'm not saying it didn't exist, but now it's in literally every single conversation about a great pattern, though.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I just think we all educate ourselves, don't we? Don't we look at all sports a little differently than we not.

[Don Legreca]

Not like baseball. Not like baseball.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That is true.

[Don Legreca]

I can analyze football the way I analyzed it in 1995. Baseball, every. The things that were up are now down. The things that were left are now right. And then there's new forms of conversation.

[Alan Hahn]

There was the 27 Yankees. They all protected each other right out of every single Play Murderers Row.

[Don Legreca]

Murderers Row. You were protected all day.

[Alan Hahn]

But that was, you know, Marison Mantle. And there was always that argument because they both were hit, they both had got to 50 home runs and then Maris kept going.

[Don Legreca]

But do people ever downplay the performance of man?

[Alan Hahn]

Mantle is really the one the pitchers are worried about, not Maris. Maris got to 61 because of mantle in the line. Like there was.

[Don Legreca]

But then why that, but why did he only do it once? I mean I'm not saying Maris didn't have a nice career, but you remove 61, I get it. It's, it's Maris.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He won two MVP. So obviously he had more than just the ones he wasn't terrible solid player. But.

[Don Legreca]

But he's not in the conversation with the other all time Yankee greats.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I just, I think in all sport, I'm trying to think of, of a comp in other sports, but we just don't take things at face value anymore. Like don't we look at things deeper than just touchdown passes and yards thrown? I mean there's always different stats that we look at a little differently.

[Don Legreca]

But is here's my question.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Ball and basketball.

[Don Legreca]

So just talk to me then come back to me in when we get to July. And Juan Soto is absolutely raking because it's what he's done for his entire career. Will this conversation change? Because my guess is right now he's looking for a reason. Guys, it's not about lack of protection. First of all, Pete is playing great. Like it's not even fully true right now. Sure he's not Aaron Judge, but he's playing.

[Alan Hahn]

No, like he's playing great because they're not pitching Soto. They're not giving Soto anything. They'd rather pitch to Pete. And Pete's taking advantage of it. Like, like you should. But so that's like remember it's, it's. There was the reverse.

[Don Legreca]

I just would love to hear it directly from the pitcher's mouth.

[Alan Hahn]

An honest picture fitting from Soto. Like Soto benefited from Judge. That's a reality. That's it. Like that's not a Yankee or Met Take. That's a real thing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But to have to have it make a decision like I don't, I don't want to have Soto be me. So I am gonna pitch him differently than I'm gonna pitch him depending on who's behind him in front of it. It's always been a thing. We just never really had the conversation before for whatever reason. I don't know why. It's always been. You don't see the logic behind it.

[Don Legreca]

No, no, I do. I think it is slightly exaggerated at times because I think pitchers are always trying to beat the person who's in front of them. And I think it's just because I know Soto's coming up next. I don't. I have to pitch. I have to pitch whoever's before him. Straight up. Yeah, no, it makes sense.

[Alan Hahn]

I have Soto up. I don't want to mess with him. Alonzo's the guy I'll mess with.

[Don Legreca]

Sorry. Reverse.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don Legreca]

So I'm not going to throw anything good at.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. I'll get Alonzo. And Alonzo's taking advantage.

[Don Legreca]

Right, right. Because I'm going to. I'm okay putting Soto on base based on balls because I'm. And then I'll be. And then I'll throw it.

[Alan Hahn]

Pete, I'm going to give him crap, hope he gets jumpy and wants to hit something.

[Don Legreca]

But what I'm saying is it's not. And then when I get Pete, I'm going to throw him a 90 mile an hour fastball down the middle.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, it's not that.

[Don Legreca]

No, it's not that.

[Alan Hahn]

Still give credit to Alonzo for. For what he's doing, but you have to admit that he's benefiting from Soto.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And the thing with Soto is that he is such a hitting savant, he's not going to swing at a pitch out of the strike zone, usually outside of the opening day in Houston. So if you don't give him anything to hit, you're going to walk him. He does have a lot of walks. He's getting on base. He's just not getting home runs or hits because he's not really getting anything really good to hit. But the adjustments are. Believe me, if Alonzo keeps hitting this way, it's going to be. It's going to be a lot different. But to answer Peter's. It's always been a thing, but there wasn't sports radio.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We haven't talked about. I think we're all more educated on sports than we were 20, 30 years ago.

[Alan Hahn]

And we're also trying to sound smart and.

[Don Legreca]

Yes. And no one does that more than baseball.

[Alan Hahn]

That is correct.

[Don Legreca]

No one does that. More baseball. That's all. Yeah, that's all I would say on it.

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. I just want to know. It's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter Weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN. The ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.